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October 27, 2020

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DIY, Halloween, Home Decor, personal, Shop Local, Tips + How I's

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DIY Garden Gnome Costume with OOMOMO BC

As you all know, we are a family who loves to create. We love creating new recipes in the kitchen, home DIY’s, painting and best of all, creating for Halloween! Each year we try and think of something outside the box, something unique, but also something that is true to our family, a hobby, a favorite color or favorite food to name a few inspirational themes. This year we chose one of our favorite summer activities – GARDENING! This theme was a homerun for the girls because they love the movies Trolls and Gnomeo+Juliet and our little garden gnome we paint each year in our garden.

This year we worked with OOMOMO to create the perfect (and cutest) little Garden Gnome costume for Ezra. OOMOMO is a Japanese Lifestyle brand with a LARGE selection of crafting materials, the selection ranges from a variety of markers, wooden pieces, faux floral, stickers galore and anything else you could think of when you get that creative itch! It really is incredible the amount of items they have in store, you can create anything. All materials I used for this costume can be found at OOMOMO.

GARDEN GNOME COSTUME

Garden Box Materials:

  • Variety of Faux Floral  (30+ depending how full you want your garden box to be)
  • Craft Straw x 3
  • Felt Fabric Rolls (Brown + Green)
  • Mushroom Magnets x 2
  • Variety of Faux Greenery Garden
  • Fencing x 6
  • Luggage Straps x 2
  • Woven String + Leaves x 2
  • Wooden Sign

Garden Box Instructions:

  1. Assemble garden box & base (we used a staple gun for this).
  2. Apply fabric to backing of garden fencing using glue gun.
  3. Attach luggage straps in criss cross pattern using staple gun.

Floral + Greenery:

  1. Fill box with floral using glue gun.
  2. Add extra greenery + mushrooms.
  3. Paint garden sign with whatever wording you would like and place in box.

Gnome Hat Materials:

  • Felt Fabric Sheet (Bright Blue) x 1
  • Foam Floral Stickers x 1 pack

Gnome Hat Instructions:

  1. Use blue felt piece, pull both shortest corners together making an ice cream cone shape and measure on child’s head, then glue the sides together to complete.  
  2. Add floral stickers where desired.

Trick or Treat Bag Materials:

  • Garden Pot Cover
  • Garden String
  • Treats – Panda Cookies, Koala Cookies, HiChew and Pocky

Trick or Treat Bag Instructions:

  1. Poke one hole at top on each side of Garden Pot Cover
  2. Measure string to desired length for handle
  3. Thread string through holes and tie knots on each side to hold its place.
  4. Add treats.

Halloween is looking a little bit different this year for everyone but no matter what we’re doing on the 31st, I know my girls will still be dressed to the nines having a great time thanks to OOMOMO.

If you are using OOMOMO to help create your Halloween costume this year please tag me in your photos, I would love to see what you create!

OOMOMO also carries a large assortment of Halloween décor, pre assembled costumes, treats and fun trick or treating bags to make October 31st perfect for you and your family! You can shop online in their E-Shop and pick up the NEXT day after 11AM! (https://www.oomomostore.com/ ) or head out to one of their many locations. There are four locations in BC, Aberdeen Centre(Richmond), Metrotown(Burnaby), Robson St(Opening November) and Lougheed Town Centre(Burnaby). They also have other locations in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba!

Take care and Stay Safe everyone!

XOX Cassandra

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October 16, 2018

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A Dock for my Tots : The most dreamy twinning you ever did see.

The Dock A Tot is widely known for encouraging longer naps, portable and convenient size and the great aid they have for transitioning from crib to toddler bed.  When we first received our Grand Dock for Ezra, she was over the moon. Instead of setting up pillows every time she watched a show or when she napped in mommy’s bed, she had her own spot dedicated to her!

There was a few times (and still is) where the Dock will somehow turn into a car, an airplane, or most recently a castle – yeah, go figure out that one. (She balanced the Dock A Tot over the ottoman and the edge of the couch.) She has also slowly began to imitate how we put her to bed, the routine she went through at night and how we would greet her when she awoke in the morning. This was also so sweet because she was going to soon be a big sister and watching her care for her dollies and teddy bear just melted our hearts.

You might also like : Cadenshae – Active wear for the pregnant and nursing mother.

The Dock A Tot is available in two different sizes, the Deluxe for Infants (0 – 9 months) and the Grand for toddlers ( 9 – 36 months ) . Our Deluxe Dock A Tot arrived a little bit after Ezra’s arrived and to see the look on her face when she opened up one that was miniature size to hers, was priceless! Instantly she knew it was for the little baby growing in my tummy and that it was something very special for her and her sibling on the way.

Ezra is usually really good with going down for her naps and doesn’t have much of a struggle when going into her crib in the afternoon. The day that her Dock A Tot arrived she asked if she could nap in it and naturally, I said “No”. She then persisted and usually I don’t give in to whining with her, but she promised that she would sleep, so we tried it out. She fell asleep within minutes. I’m not sure if it was the struggle of asking to sleep in the Dock A Tot that tired her out or if there really was some special magic sleepy dust in the Dock. There she was, two hours later, air conditioner on, sun shining through the windows and the serenade of her oh so lady-like snoring.

You may also like : Saying no to the ‘Mom-Bod’

Fast forward 5 months and here we are with our two girls. We use our Dock A Tot DAILY. I might even go ahead to say hourly. It has been such a blessing in our household to be able to lay down Isla when I need to quickly help Ezra with something, or having Ezra nap in her room and Isla nap beside me, giving me a chance to relax. I have even had her in the kitchen with me, on the floor of course on the carpeted hallway, while I was making scones last week!

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Our Deluxe Dock has been a lifesaver for myself and helped ME get a couple extra hours of sleep in the mornings! After my husband goes to work, I am usually up nursing Isla, but my toddler isn’t awake yet so I usually try and stay in bed until she wakes up. When I am done nursing Isla, she usually will fall back asleep in the mornings, but she has been showing us that she likes to be held upright when falling asleep so this makes it a little bit more tricky and tiring when it is 6AM. I have found that Isla will also sleep longer if I am near her, therefore I usually sleep with my head rested right beside the Dock, but that’s okay, I sometimes miss my own sleep because I’m stuck staring at her beautiful sleeping face. I am nervous about having her directly on the mattress beside me so I just pop the Dock up on the bed beside me and off the dreamland we go! L I F E  S A V E R. There is just something about the coziness of the Dock that surrounds them and offers that comfort of a mother’s arms.

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Twinkle Stars Newborn Gown : Nixilauroo

Here’s Why I Love The Dock

  • Perfect solution to co-sleeping – as I mentioned above, Isla still has her days and nights mixed up, so we are getting 3 hours sleep on a good night! Having the Dock in bed with us has given us a couple extra Z’s.
  • Washable – At first I was so nervous about ordering their beautiful marble cover, but after the first encounter with BBQ sauce and it came right out, my fears are gone!
  • Portable and functional for travelling families – we plan on taking ours on a few over night trips this spring and are so excited to have both for the girls.
  • Interchangeable Covers with a huge selection to choose from. The perfect addition to any nursery, no matter what the theme, style and colour, there is something for every babe!
  • Eco – Friendly – This is something I haven’t really thought about before, but when I was looking in to the Dock A Tot and what set them apart, this was really something that stood out to me. Unlike regular crib mattresses, the Dock A Tot is hypo-allergenic, all natural 100% cotton.

The dock has been a little piece of heaven for my girls as we transition in to this new chapter of life with two girls, sisters and best friends. Having their matching ‘beds’ has been so fun and created a bond even before Isla was born.

We are looking forward to more bonding while enjoying Saturday morning cartoons and taking our docks on trips with us this Winter and Spring!

XoXo

Cass

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May 16, 2018

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My Little Rainbow – Celebrating a little girl who was Wished For, Hoped For and Prayed For.

This past year was one of the hardest, trying and most broken years I have ever seen someone go through. Last year my sister-in-law went through something no one should ever have to go through, especially more than once. In 2016 Shannon+Derek went through three losses before they were awstruck with the news they’d be expecting their little rainbow on January 28th 2018.

My Little Rainbow Highlights

  • A Floral Matching Mommy + Me Set
  • Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries
  • Local and Handmade goodies from all over the Fraser Valley
  • Macrame + Floral backdrop
  • Unique Gift Ideas for a Rainbow Baby + Mama
  • Delicious Macarons from Kizzy’s Macarons
  • Sunshine + Cloud Cookies
  • Epic Rainbow Baby Basket (Link Below to come)
  • Happy Little Miss Evelynne

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On May 29, 2017, that little stick showed 2 pink lines; two lines of joy, two lines of hope, but also two lines of fear. Anxiousness of the ‘what if’ and the unknown, only time would tell which path this pregnancy would take. Prayers of strength, trust and health surrounded them as those first months went by. On January 28th 2018 little Miss Evelynne Ruth Winanne Fenton was born, will bright blue eyes and a big loud cry!

This was a baby and MAMA that needed to be celebrated to the greatest extent! The strength that these parents possess has no end and I was so excited to have an afternoon to just love on them and celebrate the ultimate joy that Evelynne is. Thank you to all those who made this happen and come together so beautifully. Please take a look below at the beautiful photos that Megan from Megan Faber Photography took for this special Rainbow Baby Shoot.

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Decor

Floral Garland + other greenery – Maple Ridge Florist

Macrame –  Saige + Skye

Baby Script Balloon – Joonie + Joe

‘My Little Rainbow’ Cake Topper + Cloud Garland – Little Sprout Creations

Calligraphy for chalkboard + Window pane – Penscripton6th

Woven Succulent Holders – Twelve Little Things

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Treats + Sweets

Macarons – Kizzy’s Macarons

Pastel Marble Cake – Panda Cakes

Sunshine + Cloud Cookies – Shea’s Sweet Shoppe

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries – Homemade by yours truly!

Alfajores – Jessica Alfajores

Rainbow Baby Cake Topper – Little Sprout Creations

Gold Triangular Party Plates, Cups + Classic Wooden Cutlery – Joonie + Joe

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Savoury Snacks

Meat + Cheese Platters – Grimm’s Fine Foods

Fruit, Veggie, and Sandwich Platters, Crackers and Beverages – Save On Foods

Sunshine Plates, Cloud Napkins + Wooden Cutlery – Joonie + Joe

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Styling

Stumbling Grace Blog

Photography

Megan Faber Photography

RAINBOW BABY BASKET CLICK HERE

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November 28, 2017

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SG Harvest Feast – When you have all that you need, build a longer table.

From the bottom and top of my heart I want to thank each and every one of these ladies for being apart of the Harvest Feast. It was such a perfect night, an evening one could only dream of. I left there in pure bliss, unsure of if I just walked out of a day dream, because that couldn’t have been reality. The amount of raw emotion, pure community and utmost vulnerability overwhelmed me. This was the whole reason I wanted to host the event, this was the passion and driving force behind it all. I firmly believe that there is always time to rest, no matter how busy. Let it be cherished and sought after! We seem to be so busy with our lives, blogging, business’ and networking it’s hard to find these face to face times, and it needs to happen more! 

Thankful. Thankful for a foundation of trust, community, leadership, guidance, perseverance and the love that embodied that Saturday night. The women who attended, the dreams that were dreamt and the goals that were set.

One evening I thought to myself, what brings me joy? Community. Getting to know people. Experiencing life together. This is how I chose to continue and build off leading and living a joy filled life.

The Harvest Feast has been a dream of mine that I didn’t think was attainable. I was nervous, I was a bit lost and frankly, I was scared. What if I do all this work, time in to contacting companies and they all say no, or it doesn’t work out, or no one wants to come. Stop it, I told myself. I want to do this, I need to do this and I am going to do this. And as I reached out, I found myself empowered with the encouragement and guidance from companies, partnerships, and many boss ladies out there, Saturday, October 7th, came.

We laughed, tears fell, and we dug deep into each other’s roots and grew so much closer because of it. I am BEYOND proud to say that this is just the beginning. Evenings like that need to happen more. I would be honoured to explore and conquer this journey of bringing the women we so often see on social media, up on the stage at events, and selling their pride and joy in their product at markets, together. To rest in community, be vulnerable in our fears and discomforts, and be strengthened in joy and love.

I could try for hours to put in to detail of how the evening went, what the vibe and overall feel in the room was, but I wouldn’t be able to bring it justice. How GOOD it felt to just rest and be with each other. To let all the walls of ‘looking our best’ and ‘best version of us’ in front of everyone, down, and to simply just BE. As the evening went on, I discovered that there were all sorts of women gathered at the table. There were Entrepreneurs, Mothers, Hikers, Artists, Photographers, Writers, Bakers, and so many more amazing qualities to discover, that you would never have stumbled upon if you hadn’t taken the time to sit and just be with each other. Face to face and heart on our sleeves. There was an overwhelming sense of comfort that embodied and surrounded the room that evening, whispering, it’s okay to share, it’s okay to let them in, it’s okay to feel sadness and joy. It’s okay.

“Eucharisteo: Thanksgiving, to be thankful. ⠀
I opened the door to the Secret Garden and my eyes were placed upon a setting that was delicately set up with love and passion. A passion for a night where women could gather together intimately and share our hearts. We were created for connection. That longing that you feel was put there on purpose. It was placed just as delicately, passionately and purposeful like that table before us. I didn’t want it to end. My soul thirsts for truer, deep-rooted connection. Sharing our hearts and our dreams, our struggles, and fears. How can we shift our priorities to ones that matter most without being deceived by the things that don’t? To be thankful right where we are but also with a vision of moving forward? ⠀
Refinement. Sanctification. This continuing of being molded by the potter’s hand and being thankful for the process. Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of my own fears. Let God blow His wind, His trails, oxygen for joy’s fire. Leave the hand open and be. Be at peace. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love and whispers surprised thanks.“⠀- Shannon – Adventurous Mama

Here’s to the first annual Harvest Feast and the many more that are to come!

VENDOR/SHOP LIST

Styled & Curated – Stumbling Grace Blog

Photographer : Tallya D Photography

Decor

Autumn wispy wreath – Bloom Bloom Room

Letter Board – Letter Peddler  

The Flores Towel/Blanket – Tofino Towel

Window Pane, Chalkboard, China Plates, Golden Frame –  Stumbling Grace 

Floral décor on golden frame – Vintage Meadows

Chalkboard lettering & Window Pane lettering – Hand Lettered by Bev

Decor & Furniture – Jubilee Collection

Dessert Table, Silver Platters, Copper stand, Copper Chandelier , Menu stand, Large gold chalkboard stand , Rugs , Tea light candle holders , Glass Terrariums (on dessert table)

HYGGE Wooden Cut – Paper Heart Calligraphy

Sweet

Salted Caramel Popcorn & Pretzels – Batch Sweets

Macaroon’s & Cake Pops – Cakes’nSweets

Earl Grey/Lavender Cookie & Blueberry Scone – Crème de la Crumb

Savoury

Mennonite Sausage Ring, Kolbassa Sausage Ring, Capicolla Toppers, Cervelat Toppers, Original Pepperoni Bites, Festive Ham – Grimm’s Fine Foods

Maple Smoked Indian Candy Salmon , Beef Jerky , Smoked Salmon Lox – West Coast Salmon

Bread & Dips – A Bread Affair 

Sweetheart Loaf , Three’s Company Loaf , Marquee Loaf , Sourdough , Baguettes, Roasted Carrot Dip , Beet Dip , Cranberry & Pecan Dip, Chocolate Croissants

Sip

Fortunello & Oat Porter – Four Winds Brewery

Growlers of Cream Ale & Sour Weisse, MB glasses – Mariner Brewing

Homemade Apple Cider – Stumbling Grace

Table Setting

Invitations, Name Cards, Menus – AylaPena Calligraphy

Table Greenery & Greenery on dessert table – Maple Ridge Florist 

Candles – Wood Lot

Live Edge Wooden Table – Gilbert Built (Jubilee Collection) Instagram : @gilbertbuilt

Stop Buggin’ Spray – K’Pure  

Lavender Bouquets & Gather Tags – Grow & Gather Farms

Table Settings & Decor – Pretty Things Rentals

Wine Glasses , Moscow Mules , White Cloth Napkins , Curtain Backdrop , Eggplant Table Runner, Golden Candle Stick holders, String lights

Wooden cutlery – Joonie&Joe

Takeaway

Pumpkin spice cookie jars – Jars by Jodi

Woodlot Soap Bars – Wood Lot

Venue Location : ‘The Secret Garden’ at Woodbridge Ponds

If you yourself are looking to put together your own event or even would like to partner together in making something magical come together please send me a message, I would LOVE to create a unique space with you! Let’s chat! You can find my contact information above ^^

GUESTS

Cassandra – Stumbling Grace Blog

Chalie – GOLDNgrasses

Diana – Happy Bees Events

Jen – Little Sprout Creations

Kayla – The Jubilee Collection

Natalia – The Venture Creative

Samantha Lenz – Oh Samantha! Blog

Shannon – Shannon Lee Blog

Tallya – Tallya D Photography

If there was anything that was used in this party you fancy and would like to inquire for yourself, I have listed all the links you will need to find the local and creative community that poured in to this event. 

 

Cheers loves! and here’s to many more.

 

XOX – Cass

 

 

 

 

 

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June 1, 2017

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Saying NO to the “Mom-Bod”

How I chose to say NO to the mom bod.

This is not a work out post, a pity-post or a ‘I’ll make do with what I have’ post. This is an empowering, influencing and inspiring post. I chose not to give in to the ‘mom-bod’ and choose to love my baby-bearing body. 

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From time to time I do feel that tug of insecurity, self-doubt and I do see the marks left from that pull&stretch. But these are our love lines, our war wounds, our life long hopes and dreams. The sign of a mother. 

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Olivia Ann Photography

Though some may be more scarred than others, more discrete than others or even only inwardly marked; we have all joined on this journey and the trials of pregnancy, labour and the fourth trimester together. 

Received our badges of courage, of comfort and became a safe place for our littles.

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How in the WORLD can I look past my beautiful baby girl and focus solely on the body I was left with after her birth. 

It’s hard to move forward, to feel back to normal when you know you’re not. That before-baby-BABE-bod feels so far away. It’s hard to feel glamorous, beautiful or even mediocre sometimes. To have the pure essence and freedom to think or even feel; I am beautiful. 

The rawness of it all; is that we all think this.

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Who’s better? Who’s thinner? Who has the best workout?

STOP. Take a second and stare into your child’s eyes.

There’s your all in all; you’re beauty and your pride. 

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Natalia Reardon Photography

There lays your heart and your reflection in their eyes, staring right back at you telling you, you are enough. 

You will ALWAYS be enough. 

This is why I am saying no to the ever-so-daunting “mom-bod.” I do not fall short, I will not give in to this lie that I am sub-par, I will stand tall.

I am Ezra’s mom. I take this journey and glorify it. The good, the bad, the discomfort and the beauty in the middle. I am blessed to be her mother and am honoured to rock this ‘MOMBOD.’

-Xox

me and ez

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May 15, 2017

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Mat Leave Ends, But Another Adventure Begins

Back to work. Back to the grind. Back to the ol’ time card.

But it’s not the same. Back to work, with a baby. What does that look like you ask? Well, I really couldn’t tell you; yet. I have my first day back to work on Friday. Starting a new job in a new field of which I know nothing about the company but I’m excited. It’s going to be good and it’ll allow my week to have a more structured look to it. Thankfully I have found a position I can go back to part time, as I don’t know if I could quite muster up enough courage to leave my baby girl for the entire day for 5 days a week.

[The day she was born – 17 hours old// Her first baseball game – 6 days old//Teens camp – 2 months old]

Luckily, I have the most amazing mother in law who is willing to watch sweet Ez for those two days that I’m away. Not only does this give me the confidence and freedom to separate myself from mama-mode and dive into work-mode, but Ezra LOVES her Nama. Let me tell you, the second Ez sees Nama, everything else disappears and nothing else matters, Nama is here. Her little legs start pumping a hundred miles per hour, she is fist bumping the air and with her big goofy grin, she is screaming at the top of her lungs. She loves her.

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The night I went into labour 

Looking back on when I was pregnant, very pregnant, and preparing for maternity leave, the 12 months you’re given seems like an eternity. The ‘go-getter’ in me thought, ‘yeah, I’ll get this baby thing under wraps and then I’ll just have a 9 month vacation!’ Oh man was I wrong. Everyday has been a joy, full of love, laughter and all that gushy stuff. There has been hardships in the midst of that, endless crying, sleepless nights, but every parent goes through that. We were fortunate enough to have an angel of a babe that was, and continues to be, so kind to us. But even though I thought having a baby wouldn’t weigh me down and immobilize me that much; it did. You get in to the routine of sleep, nurse, change diaper, sleep, nurse, change diaper, and eventually that starts to level out. Ezra is pretty simple when it comes to this schedule and will mostly go anywhere with me as long as I’m able to take time out for her. Pushing the stroller a little longer or put a wrap on to cuddle her close, to ensure she can have a nap.

[Ezra in her new Beluga Baby ‘EZRA Wrap’ Photo|Haley Campbell Owner of Beluga Baby // Ice cream at Morgan Crossing // Ez meeting Jillian Harris for the first time (all babies have this ‘first’ right?]

All this is about to change though. I am going to feel that heart wrenching, yearning sensation to want to be with my baby and can’t. I’m fully anticipating a meltdown, not on her part but on mine! She’s was and now, has become again, a part of me. My little side kick. The robin to my batman, the tissue to my sniffle, the laughter to my jokes, the peanut to my jelly. the Ez to her mama. For the past three weeks I have been completely soaking up every hug, every smile, every giggle, and yes, even every roar. (she’s a baby Rex). Getting more sentimental as the time tock’d and the days grew closer. I am not usually this type of person, at least the one that sits there for an extra minute just staring at my sweet babe, every, single, moment.

[I really miss this precious time of napping with a newborn. Oh how sweet it is.]

I am looking forward to going back though. To have more then the length of a nap time to be a real person again, to be an adult and have a conversation that doesn’t include what was in her diaper or how many veggie balls (IKEA – delicious) she ate for lunch. To regain some composure and assertiveness that I can bounce back, I can be social and I can live my life again, of course, with my little sidekick holding my hand through it all. This’ll be another new chapter in our lives, a chapter of change and a chapter of growth. Figuring out what it means for mama to go back to work and how Ez will receive it. Here’s hopin’ and you bet I’ll be praying.

What were your thoughts? your doubts? your fears? Did you find identity in going back to work, feel more like yourself again? (whatever that may mean to you).
What were your biggest hurdles in trying to make things work and making sure your little loved one was comfortable and confident in you leaving them? I want to know them!
From one mama to another, I would love your support and guidance in some ideas or scheduling that you found moved mountains when you went back to work.

I’ll leave you now with a few of my favourite memories from the past year with my sweet babe. Enjoy x0x

Wedding Shoot photo | Sasha Cooper Photography

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May 2, 2017

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What to Expect When you’re Scorekeeping

Thinking about venturing out for the first time since babe has come along? Here are a few tips on how to keep it as simple and efficient as possible without having a meltdown (or at least only one or two!)

Last week my husband and I decided we were going to go to a White Caps game; being very loyal and faithful fans, having a baby and staying home for the games has definitely taken a toll and bruised our fan ego. You know those things that make you feel alive, you’re so in tune with the moment that it’s almost surreal? Yeah. That was game day for us!

As the week began to close in on game day, we started to pack our diaper bag, pack the essentials and look into what was the most helpful things other parents had found when doing a day trip. It began to gather up quit quickly, below is a list of items we brought (we ended up tossing our diaper bag to the side and packing a backpack for easier maneuvering at the stadium! << do this!)

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Baby Carrier: Beluga Wrap (One of the best choices by far because not only is it super comfortable while standing up and sitting down cheering for both parents and their babe, it is compact! So if you need to take out your little while at the game you don’t have any large extra cargo to be lugging around on top of babe!) This wrap will literally fit in your pocket.

Head Gear: Sports games, especially VWFC, can get pretty rowdy if you are in the supporters section and you want to make sure your little one is enjoying it as much as you so com prepared! We were fortunate enough to borrow these BabyBANZ from my sister in law, but you can also find them at BestBuy or at Once Upon a Child and other consignment stores. They are pricey but worth its weight in gold, especially if it helps your babe to NAP while everyone around is cheering and yelling their socks off! We also brought a toque for Ez just in case the roof was open, and it was!IMG_3118

Pacifier Clip: Glitter and Spice When you’re in the midst of a crowds, the last thing you want to do is drop that golden pacifier on the busy crowded gross floor.

Toy: Make sure to bring a toy that is easily attached with a pacifier clip, because also, you want to make sure that this does not fall on the ground and get trampled! I would suggest bringing something that is multi-sensory. One of those Lamaze stroller toys that are plush, have a Velcro piece, shaker piece and maybe even a mirror. Ezra has one that is a knight on a horse, each hoof has a different texture!

Clothing: I would definitely go with tights and socks for baby, or something that you KNOW wont fall off (Velcro shoes) or be uncomfortable for lounging in! And for an extra set of clothes just bring some PJ’s, compact and easy to put on.

Food: We opted for fries here, but we also brought two pouches just in case (which she devoured on the way home, this saved us!)

Diapers&Wipes: Here we opted out our regular diaper bag, as I’d mentioned earlier, and just brought the clutch that includes a detachable mat and zipper for wipes.

Packed away tightly in the backpack there was still some room for a blanket!

At the end of the game we were able to take off effortlessly as Kenz had left on the wrap throughout the game and we just put Ez back in!

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you! Leave your words behind in the section below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Take careIMG_3161

Xox

Cassandra

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April 30, 2017

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5 More Minutes…

Five More Minutes…

Sunshine Cuddles

“Just five more minutes” I repeated to myself about seven times tonight as I lay beside my sweet dear little girl. As she lay here, swept far off into dreamland, I lay here staring, gazing at each beautiful eye lash, her round joyful cheeks, her perfect little pout and saving the best for last; her button nose. I could lay here forever, but that would never be long enough. 

This morning when I woke there was nothing that could have prepared me for how this evening would end. Today was a very jam packed day. We were playing baseball and Ez was our faithful cheerleader in the dugout in her stroller with toys and veggie straws. 830-430, a very long day for anyone. It was the first inning of the first game, I was running to second and pulled a muscle. Great, well now I’m out for the day. Try as I may, I just couldn’t get in to the groove of things. As we went through the day, I had discovered that I had also [finally] gotten my visit from a very special lady (it’s been 20 months now). After the games were done, we ventured on to a friend’s graduation party at the Abbotsford Townhall Public House. On the drive I couldn’t help but think about that visitor & I’ve heard that’s the indicator that your milk dries up. What if that’s it? What if this morning was the last time I nurse her. Are we done? Are we finished for good? No one gave me a heads up. Do I get another shot? Another try, another chance. To say goodbye? 

oct25When we got home this evening, I took her in my arms brought her to our bedroom and laid here with her. Her mouth closed up, her eyes glazed over by her dreamy heart and her cheek pressed against my chest. Nothing. Not even a squirm, searching for the sweet milk from mama. 

Is this really how it ends? Mother Nature finds her way back to you and now your baby’s a toddler??

I did not sign up for this. 

Desperate to hold her close, to soak in the closeness and bond one last time, I lay down beside her and wait. Slowly she moves her teeny body towards me, inching closer and starts to nurse. 

This is it. This may be my last time with her. I savour every minute, every second. 

And as she drifts off, I keep telling myself, five more minutes… just five more minutes… 

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Amanda Coldicutt Photography